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History of the Codroy Valley

Codroy Valley can boast of having the earliest recorded evidence of settlement
on the West Coast. In 1822, when W.E. Cormack crossed the island he commented
on the number of settlers in the Valley.

"......W.E. Cormack, who travelled about the island in 1822, and who indicated
that there were five families living at Codroy, five families (28 persons) at
what is now Searston, ten indian families along the Great Codroy River, and
two families (17 persons) along the Little Codroy River."

It is thought that the earliest white settlers in the Valley were the Gale
brothers from West England. Four brothers came from England and settled in what
was later known as Grand River Gut. As this area was exposed to winter storms,
the brothers moved to what is now presently Millville in an area close to the
river or the sea, which were to a great extent, the source of their livelyhood.
In a sheltered area the brothers cleared the land and built a new home. The
land they cleared is still occupied by their decendents of the fourth and fifth
generations. The period from 1825-1845 saw a great influx of settlers from Cape
Breton Island who were largely Acadians, Scots, Irish Catholics, and English
Protestants. Most of the early protestants had been converted to the catholic
faith by the turn of the century - excepting only the protestant fishing village
of Codroy. This was largely due to the stationing of a resident priest, Father
Alexis Belanger, some 55 miles away at Sandy Point. Some of the early settlers
were; the Bruces who came to Nfld via St. Pierre, from St. Malo in Brittany,
the McLeans from Mabou, Cape Breton, the McIsaacs from Inverness county in Cape
Breton, the Aucoins or O'Quinns also from Cape Breton, the Ryans from Margaree,
Cape Breton, the Halls from Lunenburg, Novia Scotia, and the McDougalls, whose
origins are uncertain

"....the lure was the stories that traveled to Nova Scotia of the wonderful
fertility of the soil in many parts of the West Coast of Nfld. It was also well
known that it was easy to get a block of land which was gratis if one could
hold it. Taxes were almost unknown. These facts, coupled with the then scarcity
of land in Cape Breton, resulted in the emigration of many families from that
locality and their taking up residence in Newfoundland.

Although some French, Gaelic and MicMac were spoken, the area was predominantly
English. Gaelic was also common, however, and Father Belanger, who was a french
speaking priest, encountered a great deal of trouble with the language barrier.
In fact in 1865, a petition was drawn up by Father Belanger and his Gaelic speaking
parishioners and it was forwarded to Bishop McKinnon. It asked the Bishop to
send to the area every now and again a priest who would be able to hear confessions
and instruct in Gaelic.

This was answered by the coming of Father Shaw in 1866 and 1867, and then
by the coming of Father Chisolm and Father Fraser in 1868. They would stay for
periods of several weeks before returning to their home parishes. When Father
Belanger died on September 7, 1868 ( exactly 18 years after he arrived in the
diocese) he was replaced by Father Thomas Sears. Father Sears arrived in Sandy
Point on December 14, 1868.

In 1872 there still was no government representatives, no civil law, no roads,
carriages or wheeled vehicles and no mail service. The Valley was isolated from
the rest of the world except for travel by sea. Monsignor Sears began pressing
for mail service in 1869 and in 1872 some mail was provided to the coast. The
telegraph was extended to the west in 1878, the same time that the court house
was set up in St. George's. In 1881, Sir Frederick Carther, announced that the
Newfoundland government was now authorized to make land grants on the French
Shore, thus officially opening up settlement. He also ordered that the residents
of the West Coast elect 2 representatives to the House of Assembly.

The West Coast was now eligible for government grants for development. The
first area of concentration was on road building. Under Monsignor Sear's guidance,
roads connecting all parts of the Valley were built for free labor. By 1885
these were completed. The railway came though in 1897. Around the same time,
the Valley gained telegraph service and a Justice of the Peace. It was at this
time that the first people not dependent for a living upon agricultural production
or fishing, moved to the Valley. These people directed maintenance of the railway
line.

Around 1905 the paper mill opened in Grand Falls and the iron ore mines re-opened
in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Then people began moving out rather than into the Valley.
Monsignor Sears died in 1885. Although various priests spent varying periods
of time inthe Valley, a cousin, Monsignor Andrew Sears was the next priest to
spend a long period of time in the Valley-from the first decade of the 1900's
to his death in 1944. Monsignor was especially noted for the great deal of construction
which occurred during his residence in the area.

RECENT HISTORY OF CODROY VALLEY

ROADS

When cars came to the area in 1921, the roads became wider. Thomas Blanchard
in Searston had the first car, and in 1924 six cars, all Model " T " Fords,
came to the Valley. The owners of these were Tom Doyle, John Doyle, Michael
Tompkins, Tom Blanchard, Duncan McIsaac and Jim Tompkins. On January 2nd, 1947,
cars were driven for the first time on the right hand side of the road, not
the left as formerly had been the case. Up until 1942, patrol men were paid
to care for a section of road. Each man had so many miles of road that he was
responsible for the upkeep of, and he was paid by the government. A horse, cart
and shovel were his only tools. In 1942, the government men and trucks took
over this responsibility. A government garage was built in 1958. In 1953, the
roads were kept open in Codroy by machinery during the winter for the first
time. On March 23rd, 1950, the first days work on the Trans Canada Highway was
done. By 1958, the first 10 miles of pavement between Codroy and Port aux Basques
had been laid. By 1963-1964 the road was paved through to Codroy Pond and in
1965 all work was completed. In 1970, the first pavement in the Valley itself
was laid. By 1971, the road had been paved from Upper Ferry to Searston. By
1976, all pavement in the Valley was completed.

RADIO RANGE ROAD

A weather station was constructed here in 1942. Originally there were four
buildings, but the school board purchased two and joined them together to make
a convent. It was then hauled to Upper Ferry. The other two buildings are owned
by Dr. Farrell and Dr. Simpson.

COMMUNICATION

Electricity came to the area in 1962. Prior to this, (kerosene) gas lamps,
also called aladdin lamps, were used. Telephones came to the area in the 1920's.
Crank telephones, or eggbeaters as they were commonly known were used until
they were replaced by the dial system in 1963. Television came to the area in
1966. One channel was available, channel 6, CBC, which originated from Halifax.
In 1970, CBC began broadcasting from Corner Brook. In 1973 CTV or CJON arrived.

MINERALS

Limestone was found in O'Regans and coal in South Branch, although not in
sufficient quantities to mine. Two years ago, oil was drilled in the mountains
in the Cape Anguille area.

MEDICINE

The first doctor in the area was a Doctor Whalen who left in 1921. The closest
doctor was then at Port aux Basques, and one would travel there by train. In
1935-36 the English nurses arrived. Each stayed for 1-2 years, some of them
were; Mrs. Stocks, Miss Whitley, Miss Myre and Miss Miles (who later converted
to RC and became a nun) In 1941, the Newfoundland nurses took over the medical
duties of the Valley. Rose Farrell was the first and then Nurse Roach (who married
Frank Cormier and resides in Corner Brook). Next was Nurse Cooper, next Nurse
Battcock, and lastly Margaret Hull from St. George's. The doctors took over
the duties again. In January of 1948, Dr. Brian O'Brien arrived. Next was Dr.
O'Leary and then Dr. Kilbain. This was in Monsignor Kerwin's time, and the Monsignor
bought an old store and renovated it into a clinic. There were three nurses
at the clinic and Beth Kelly was the third of these. This system was then discontinued.
Debbie Downey was the only baby born under this system.

In 1960 an English doctor, Dr. King, was chosen by The Medical Committee.
The doctor was subject to this committee and when the committee and Dr. King
fell out, the entire medical committee resigned. Public Health of Newfoundland
took over. The doctors residence was built in 1959 and the first doctor to reside
there was Dr. Goulem from the Belgium Congo. He later went to St. George's and
died there suddenly from a heart attack while on a fishing trip at Flat Bay
River. Both Dr. Goulem and Dr. O'Brien are buried in the Valley. Dr. McSearraigh
came November 5th, 1966 and left in 1971. Dr. Clark and Dr. Domion Currans (from
Ireland) came next. Dr. Bernard Ring arrived after their departures, on September
12, 1972. He left in June of 1977. Next came a Dr. Pangia who stayed for several
weeks. A Dr. Coo arrived next and was the doctor as of August 5, 1977

CAPE ANGUILLE

Cape Anguille is a French name which means "a place to launch boats." A ship
went aground there in 1898, and this was a major influence in determining that
the lighthouse should be put there. In 1907, construction was begun on the lighthouse
which was to be one of 28 Canadian Government Lighthouses on the west coast
of the island. Funds came from the Quebec government and parts and equipment
for it came from France. By 1908, construction was completed and the lighthouse
was officially opened in August of 1908. It was approximately 100 feet high,
steel reinforced, and had 118 steps leading to the light. The tower was constructed
of cement, which had to be poured by hand. There was a vapor light on top, and
each day 150 pounds of kerosene oil had to be carried up to it. The first change
in the lighthouse came about in 1930, when the diesel switched from being steam
operated to oil operated. In 1959 a smaller horn was installed and electric
generators were placed into operation. By the late 1950's, the lighthouse was
in very poor condition. The cement deck around the top of the lighthouse was
crumbling. It is believed that the cause of this was the either the salt air
acting on the cement or that it was due to salt water being mixed with the cement
when it was poured in the construction days of the lighthouse. At any rate,
the tower was becoming too dangerous for use and had to be replaced. Construction
on the new tower began in 1959 with funds from the federal government. The tower
was completed in 1960 and placed into operation. The new tower is approximately
50 feet high and has 3 sets of stairs leading to an electric light. It was also
constructed of cement. A new horn was established in 1971 in the key of 'G'.
The old foghorn was in the key of 'A'. The only building that now remains on
the grounds that was part of the original lighthouse complex is a small shed
that stands next to the present lighthouse. It was built to store the oil used
in the original lighthouse light and is now simply used for storage. However,
this shed is in poor condition, and it is likely it will be torn down soon.
A double house was built on the grounds in 1907 by another Quebec department
for the use of the lighthouse keeper and his family and for the assistant lighthouse
keeper. Although the building was to be used by 2 families, it was only used
by one. The partition separating the two apartments was removed and it was used
as a 6 bedroom home.

The building was occupied by Mr. Alfred Patry and his family, and then by
his son, second lighthouse keeper, Mr. Gus Patry.*1 They lived there until 1968
when Mr. Patry moved into a smaller house he had built on the property and the
assistant lighthouse keeper moved into the home. He stayed a short period of
time but the building has remained unoccupied for a number of years and has
been allowed to deteriorate to a condition almost beyond repair. Mr. Alfred
Patry owned the first radio and telephone at Cape Anguille and immediate area.
As lighthouse keeper he needed some form of communication, especially during
the wars. He reported any radio conversations which he overheard between the
German warships and submarines. The submarines were known to submerge in front
of the lighthouse because they usually picked up the horn and the light on radar.
Some Germans did come on the island as they were known to be seen around the
docks and in the store at least once, out of uniform._ The present lighthouse
keeper, Mr. Gus Patry is the son of the original lighthouse keeper, Mr. Alfred
Patry. He was hired in 1907 by a Quebec Department to man the lighthouse. He
and his wife came to Cape Anguille and he worked there until the last of June,
1943 for 36 years. His son, Gus, then took over the operation and still is the
lighthouse keeper today. It is likely that Mr. Patry will be the last lighthouse
keeper at Cape Anguille. The lighthouse is now in the first phase of a three
phase automation program. The first phase began around 1971, when new equipment
was purchased and installed. The second phase is due to begin in 1978 when more
of this equipment is put to use. The third phase will begin when the Mr. Patry
retires. Neither he nor the government is exactly sure when this will be.

CODROY

It is believed that Codroy received it's name from the abundance of fish in
the waters off it's shores. "Roy" is thought to be derived from the French word
"roi", which is translated to mean king. Codroy is predominantly Protestant.
Anglican is the main religion. Many Protestants had migrated to the area in
the 1800's and by the turn of the century, most of the early Protestants had
been converted to the Catholic faith-excepting only the Protestant fishing village
of Codroy._ At times in the past, Protestants have outnumbered Catholics 3 to
1. In 1812, an Evans family were settled on the shore of Codroy. These were
the earliest white settlers known in the area according to W.E. Cormack. These
families had both summer and winter residences. In the summer the families fished.
They lived in a rough log cabin erected on the beach. In the winter they would
move about 6 miles inland where a plentiful supply of game was available and
where there was more shelter from the cold. Codroy reached its peak of prosperity
around 1915. It was then one of the major producers of food stuffs in the area.
But by 1945, the amount of farming in dairy and dairy products had dwindled
away to practically nothing, if one took into account what had been produced
30 years prior to this.

RELIGION

Catholics and Anglicans have always lived side by side, with no problems with
Anglicans outnumbering all other faiths. By 1882, a visiting minister of the
Anglican faith was sent regularly to Codroy. By 1881, a village school with
50 pupils in attendance was in operation, and services were held there. By 1900,
the original Holy Trinity church was built. It blew down in 1912, and it's door
was found 1/8th of a mile away on Codroy Island A new stronger structure was
built on the foundation of the old. The church was opened in 1922 and 50 years
later in 1972, was completely renovated from the estates of James W. and Mary
Collier, who left $50,000.00 to the church. A cemetery is located directly in
front of the church and is part of the church yard. Before this, it was located
down on the Banks in front of the church but was washed away into the water.
The church had a resident pastor and a school teacher in the past. Among those
who have served in Codroy in the past are; Rev. Marks, Canon Ried, and Canon
Martin (who presently resides in St. John's). The Catholics also had a small
church built in 1919, but no permanent clergy was ever stationed there. Today
the building no longer remains. There was also a small school but it closed
several years ago, and students were sent to schools in the Grand River area.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

There has never been a serious need for a law officer in Codroy. A policeman
named Halford came early in the 1900's to act as a justice of the peace of sorts.
There was no successor to Mr. Halford. No serious offenses have occurred in
Codroy.

ROADS

Although the rest of the Valley was connected by roads by the year 1885, roads
did not come to Codroy until the early 1900's. Prior to this, only a path existed
northward, and travel was done mostly by water.

WOODVILLE

Woodville was once known as Woody Head Cove. It is believed that the settlement
received its name from Woody Head Point which was located nearby. The history
of Woodville is closely linked with that of Codroy. It is believed the first
family here were the Kendells,_ Mr. John Anthony, William Martin, and James
Parsons. These early settlers fished and farmed. It is believed that the first
school was built about 60 years ago._ Some teachers were Max Fiander, Muriel
Evans, John Blackmore, Mrs. Theresa (William) Janes, John Anthony, and Harold
Carter. For church services, people would travel to Codroy where there was a
Methodist Church, a Catholic church, and a Anglican church. The first post office
was kept in George Collier's house. In later years, Mrs. Irene (Eric) Kendell
took over this operation. Today mail is delivered to mailboxes throughout the
community. Twenty-five years ago Eric Kendell opened a store in Woodville which
is still in operation today. Prior to this, people would travel to Codroy for
provisions. Some merchants in Codroy at that time were: Mr. Ball, Mr. Gillis,
Mr. Chaffe, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Parsons. These people all operated general stores.
Salted and dried cod, halibut and salmon were sold to these stores. Also fish
could be traded to Halifax for supplies. The residents of Woodville cut their
firewood for the winter. They also built their own houses and boats. None of
these boats were sold, however, as they were for their own use. Mr. William
Janes of Woodville practiced locally as a blacksmith. He would only do work
for his neighbors, and only when asked. He charged for his services. Whenever
the need for a doctor arose, he would travel from Port aux Basques. Some of
these doctors were; Dr. O'Brien, Dr. O'Leary, Dr. Whalen, and Dr. Gale. Now
the people of Woodville visit a Dr. Kue in Codroy. There were always midwives
instead of nurses to assist the doctor. Some of these midwives were; Mrs. Mary(George)
Sparks, Woodville; Mrs. Jenny Anderson and Mrs. Susan Anderson, Codroy; Mrs.
"Granny" Patten, and Mrs. "Granny" Ellis. The very first vehicle in the Valley
was owned by Tom Blanchard. The first one in Codroy was owned by A.W. Moore,
a merchant. The roads were paved around the year1970. An example of early entertainment
can be seen from the following article:

"A Stumping spree was held in the premises of Mr. J.S. Galpin at Woodville.
A good day's work was done; which ended up with a dance at the school, where,
as usual, everybody had a good time."_

MILLVILLE

The community of Millville got its name about 85 years ago, when a Mr. Alexander
Gale moved in from the coast and established a carding mill there. Formerly,
people lived along the seacoast at Net Cove. The Gales and Jennings were the
first families to move inward and start the community of Millville. The carding
mill was in operation from 1893-1975. Mr. Gale and his eight sons all ran the
operation at one time or another. The machinery was brought in by Mr. Gale from
Nova Scotia and he later set up other mills in the area._ There were 16 machines
in operation at one time._ Mr. Gale kept his machines in operation 24 hours
a day and produced about 500 pounds of wool per day. The mill operated in two
shifts of 12 hours each and usually 8 people were employed. For 50 years the
mill was operated by water power, in later years the machinery was run by diesel.
The old mill located further down the road from the present site. Mr. Alex Gale
also operated a small grocery store. Goods were bought on a bartering system.
There was a Catholic school built in Millville about 70 years ago. Some early
teachers were: Elizabeth O'Quinn, Angela Blanchard, and Hughie O'Quinn._ Another
school was later built to replace this one. Today, however, school has been
centralized to Upper Ferry and students from all over the Valley are bussed
there to attend classes. The first post office was kept in Mr. Alex gale's store
for 50 years or more. It was then taken over by his son, Afra. In later years
mailbox delivery was instituted.

DOYLES - UPPER FERRY

The communities of Doyles and Upper Ferry are so closely intertwined in reference
to their location that it is virtually impossible to separate one from the other
when writing about them. Doyles was named after the first postmaster, Mr. Jim
Doyle, who operated a post office in 1898. The post office was near the railway
where the train made its stop. The train ran through Codroy Valley in 1898.
Upper Ferry received its name from the ferry services which were at both ends
of the Grand Codroy River. Mr. Pat Chaisson was responsible for the ferry at
the lower end of the river at what is referred to as " the gut." Mr. Tom Corneally
operated the ferry boat some miles up river at a place referred to as Upper
Ferry. " The Head " is a name sometimes applied to Upper Ferry._ Another place
in the Doyles area is Benoit's Siding. This place gets its name from the Wallace
and Joe Benoit families that lived there. The Benoits came from near St. Georges
and settled " in along the line." A railway spur was built to this area to facilitate
the shipping of potatoes which were grown there in large quantities. The first
settler in the area was Angus MacIsaac. Mr. MacIsaac left Scotland in 1844 and
landed in Margaree, Cape Breton. Three years later he came to this community.
The main source of employment for the early settlers was farming. Some of the
vegetables grown were: carrots, pumpkins, turnips, cabbage, spinach and swiss
chard. Wheat was grown but to no great extent - its cultivation was fairly successful.
It was ground into flour that was used in baking._ Some livestock that was kept
by the settlers: oxen,_sheep, chickens, geese, pigs and cows. Many of these
animals were slaughtered and the meat was eaten after the fat had been cut off.
The fat was used for lard in cooking, also in the making of soap and candles.
The milk from the cows was used for drinking, making cream, butter and cheese.
The women of the area made clothes for their families from the sheep's wool.
This wool was sheared from the sheeps back, washed, dried, carded and spun on
a spinning wheel and woven on a loom. Before being woven some wool was died
from a dye made by boiling moss and adding alum which created a brown color.
In order to create a yellow color onion peels were boiled and salt and vinegar
were added. Originally the forest extended to the river Bankss and had to be
cleared for farming. There was, and still is, plenty of lumber available that
is suitable for the construction of houses, barns, fences, and boats. The forest
also provides fuel for cooking and heating. In later years_people cut ties for
the railroad and pulpwood for contractors. Ties sold for 18¢ a piece and pulpwood
sold at 90¢ a cord. Many of the men served as guides for sports fishermen and
big game hunters. The Codroy Valley region was famous as an area for hunting
and fishing. Many well-known sport personages visited the area on a regular
basis through the years up to the 1950's._ Roads were slow in coming to the
whole valley area and most of the traffic was by sea or river, railway after
1898-in winter travel across the ice was popular. Due to the nonavailability
if liquor some residents either manufactured their own or purchased it from
smugglers who usually obtained it from St. Pierre and Miquelon. The smugglers
made trips to the bays but never would enter a community. They stayed outside
the 3 mile limit until a person from the community arrived with the money. A
5 gallon keg cost $45.00 and a 10 gallon keg cost $90.00._ Most people who did
not buy liquor often manufactured their own. Many brewed a form of beer known
as "home brew". Others distilled moonshine_and others made blueberry wine. One
of the methods of making this wine was by filling a 5 gallon keg with 3 gallons
of blueberries and 2 gallons of molasses. This mixture was corked and buried
for 6 months. The first mail carrier in Upper Ferry was Hughie MacInnes. He
carried the mail from Upper Ferry to South Branch and overland north to Highlands.
In the summer this work was done on foot but in the winter a dog team was used.
The first school_ was built over 60 years ago, this was followed by a second
school which was built by Monsignor Andrew Sears. Some of the teachers in these
schools were: Angela Blanchard, Miss Genevieve Farrell, Julie Chaisson and Minnie
O'Quinn. The story of Miss Genevieve Farrell, the school teacher from Fortune
Bay (probably St. Jacques) is rather poignant and bears repeating. She was engaged
to Sears Tompkins but died of galloping consumption shortly before the date
set for her wedding. She was laid out in her wedding dress at the residence
of Archie MacIsaac at Upper Ferry._ The present church, dedicated to St. Anne
is the only church constructed at Upper Ferry and was opened in 1976. It is
situated near the southern end of the long concrete bridge over Codroy River
that joins the north and south sides. Unfortunately this bridge was destroyed
by ice in 1977. Talking from memory and tradition, facts often become confused
and dates blurred. However, the Roman Catholic Church records go back continuously
to 1867. A number of priests served there from the time of Monsignor Thomas
Sears, the Prefect of St. George's 1868-1885. However, the limited number of
priests and the large area to be served meant the clergy moved from place to
place. Right Rev. Alexis Belanger, first missionary priest and Vicar General
on the west coast 1850-1885 visited the Codroy Valley many times during his
sojourn in far flung missions. The following passage from Very Rev. Michael
Brosnan's history might be of interest. Brosnan is speaking of Gaelic speaking
people coming from Nova Scotia to the Codroy Valley.

'.......Thus about the year 1844, if not earlier, the following names are
to be found in the Codroy Valley: McNeil, McIsaac, McLean, Murphy, Farrell,
Ryan. These names were common in Codroy Valley in 1854 and there is good reason
for thinking that they dated from 10 years earlier. As time went on many more
families from the same part of Nova Scotia, some remaining at Little River and
Grand River, several others going as far as Bay St. George, making their homes
at the Highlands at places adjacent to Sandy Point, as well as on the Port au
Port peninsula. They were mostly given to farming though a little fishery was
carried on. As I have already said, Fr. Belanger visited the Rivers at regular
intervals. He had a little church erected on the north side of the Grand River
and beside it a little log cabin which he used as his home when on missionary
work in that section. The priest at that time invariably came by sea from Sandy
Point, sometimes in a sailing boat and not infrequently in a rowboat, a distance
of about seventy-five miles. As the number of Scotch settlers increased Fr.
Belanger, who was a French speaking priest, was faced with a very obvious difficulty
in his pastoral work, particularly in the confessional. This was the language
difficulty. The settlers who had come in from Inverness, Cape Breton, almost
without exception used the Gaelic language as the language of the home. Though
many of them had a passing knowledge of English they had not sufficient command
of it to make their confession with facility and to their own satisfaction.
None was quicker to see this difficulty and none could be more ready than the
good priest to take measures to have it remedied; he heartily co-operated with
the Gaelic-speaking people in their endeavor to secure at least a yearly visit
from a priest versed in the silver speech of the Gael, the mother tongue of
so many of his people. Old men whom I have met and who well remembered the then
situation tell me of the earnest endeavors of Fr. Belanger to provide for his
Scotch parishioners in this matter. Indeed, it would appear that he was almost
continually striving to secure an assistant with these qualifications but in
vain. In the year 1865 a petition drawn up by Fr. Belanger and signed by him
and the Gaelic-speaking people was forwarded to Bishop McKinnon. It asked the
good Bishop to send them now and again a priest from his diocese who would be
able to hear confessions and instruct in Gaelic. The petition was not answered
immediately, but in the next year when Fr. Belanger landed at the Gut at Grand
River, the people who always assembled to meet him and escort him to the church,
noticed that he was accompanied by another gentleman. The old missionary, as
if to spring a pleasant surprise on the people, made no introductions nor any
reference to his companion till the church was reached and then, in the words
of one who was privileged to be present, I shall describe what happened: " Fr.
Belanger bidding the people rejoice at the presence of two priests in their
midst introduced to the congregation Fr. Shaw who had been sent as the result
of negotiations between Bishop McKinnon and Bishop Mullock from Arichat to confess
the Gaelic-speaking people. Fr. Shaw stayed a week and then went to Bay St.
George, returning to Grand River he remained for two weeks. At the end of this
time he left for Channel and from there some of the men from the Rivers landed
him back at Ingonish."

The visit of Fr. Shaw was repeated in '67 and '68 by Frs. Chisholm and Fraser
respectively. It was in the Fall of this year that Fr. Belanger died and the
people of the West Coast were once more left without a sheppard.'

Father Patrick Brown served the Doyles-Upper Ferry area sometime before 1900._
Rev. Doctor Cornelius O'Regan, who married Sister Teresina Bruce's parents_
was drowned while on his priestly duties in a shipwreck shortly after coming
to the Valley in 1899 or 1900. Even today in many houses can be seen the framed
"write-up" from the Western Star,_ a newspaper published at Curling, now part
of Corner Brook, concerning the untimely passing of the young cleric. Monsignor
William J. Brown was there in December, 1902 as he baptized Sister Teresina
Bruce. Sister made her first confession to Monsignor Brown in 1909, but received
her first holy communion from the new parish priest, Monsignor Andrew Sears
in 1910. Monsignor was the nephew of Monsignor Thomas Sears. One of the early
doctors to serve the area was Dr. Barlow, who would come from Port aux Basques
when called. Other doctors were Dr. Gill who later moved to Brigus, Conception
Bay, and who is the father of H. Burnham Gill, the Provincial Archivist and
Dr. Whelan, who moved to Bay Bulls. Both doctors were stationed in Port aux
Basques. Father Joseph P. Palmer, a priest and medical doctor was stationed
in the Valley for some years._ There were other doctors in the Valley before
Dr. Gill and Whelan but Sister Teresina remembers both these gentlemen. In 1939
nurses Stocks, Whitley and Myles came from England and stayed one or two years
aiding the sick. Nurse Myles is now (in 1978) in the Presentation Order. Beginning
in 1941 nurses Hall, Mills, Roach and Badcock assumed nursing duties. These
nurses "belonged" to the Newfoundland Department of Health and were referred
to as the "Newfoundland Nurses"._ Some of the midwives in the Valley were Mrs.
Matilda MacIsaac, Mrs. Maggie Hynes, Mrs. Will Keating, Mrs. Esther Blanchard
and Mrs. Mary Gale also helped out when necessary._ Mrs. Keating around 1940
had a six week midwifery course in St. John's. The midwife's fee was $3.00 per
child and they remained till the mother could resume her household duties._
One home remedy used for relief from a cold was boiled cherry bark (or dogwood
bark), mixed with ground juniper. This mixture was taken orally. A remedy used
as a treatment for exema was a mixture of balm buds boiled with balsam producing
a waxy, sticky substance which was applied to the sore.

The first member of the Newfoundland Ranger Force_ to serve the Valley was
Ranger Thompson who was followed by Ranger Tilley, both of whom were stationed
in Port aux Basques. Before the Rangers " the law " came from St. George's.
Sgt. Goodland of the Newfoundland Constabulary and Magistrate McDonnell are
still remembered by the older citizens. The first road in the Doyles-Upper Ferry
area went through in 1908. The first vehicle, a Model-T Ford, was owned by Tom
Blanchard who purchased it for $600.00. John Doyle, the postmaster's son owned
the first "crank" telephone and the first radio in the area was owned by Mr.
Mike Martin. Sister Teresina remembers a crystal set at Philip Luedees and listening
to the broadcasts using earphones. A son of Mr. Luedee had sent the set from
the United States. Mr Luedee's residence was halfway between St. Andrews and
Tompkins, which was some miles from Doyles-Upper Ferry.

O'REGANS

O'Regans was named after Father Camelius O'Regan, who drowned between Port
aux Basques and Rose Blanche on October 25, 1901 A informant moved to O'Regans
in 1905 at the age of 9. There were families living in the area then, although
it is uncertain how long they had been there. The original families in the area
were; Pat Ryan, Tom Ryan, Will Ryan, Ed Ryan, Mike Farrell, a McInness family,
and three Smith brothers, Bill, George and Jim (who are the sons of John Smith)
The first stores were located in Searston were Knights had a store before 1900.
William McLean had a store in Searston directly afterwards, this home still
stands today, to the right of the dirt road on the way to the beach. The McLean's
left or died about 30 years ago, and are remembered as being quite old by residents
of the area who were quite young at the time. All stores carried a living-line
of goods -only the necessities. While the main industry was farming, some logging
was done. While some was done for Port aux Basques, the majority of the logging
was done for Bowaters. The contract to Bowaters included the wording "100,000,
more or less". Families in the area usually kept cattle - as many as 20 heads
or more. There would be 2 or 3 young cattle to sell each fall and $100.00 would
be a very good price for a fair sized calf. There were fox farms kept in the
area, on a small scale. The largest in O'Regans, kept by Mr. John Ryan, had
6 or 7 pair of foxes. Most had only one pair. The fox would be caught in the
spring and killed early in the New Year. Each year Mr. Ryan would travel to
the United States, usually New York, with the fur, by boat and by train. Fox
farms died out in the area about 55 years ago, and they started several years
after the turn of the century. Mail was brought in by steamers to Port aux Basques
and taken by train to Doyles. Mail carriers with a horse and carriage would
bring it the rest of the way. The first school in O'Regans was built by Monsignor
Andrew Sears. However, it was converted into a garage and still stands today.
Mr. and Mrs. Sandy Ryan ran a rather large tourist industry. They kept as many
as 30 tourists at a time. The business began 51 years ago and Mr. and Mrs. Ryan
controlled it until 11 years ago when they passed it on to their son. Mr. Ryan
has been a self-taught guide since he was 16 years old._ At that time tourists
needed licenses for game but residents did not. The Ryan's had a four bedroom
cabin with a cook-house outside and they attracted tourists from as far away
as Florida, to hunt game and fish. Our informants stated that Indian Hill was
referred to as such because two families of Indians lived there. Sonny Peters
and Tommy Benoit, who are now all dead, once lived below the hill. These Indians
were from Christmas Island, Cape Breton. Indian Hill can still be seen today,
if you pass by Gillis' Cabins, you can see 3 houses on the right hand side of
the road. Just past the last of these (Wilfred Downey's) is Indian Hill with
a cemetery at the bottom or the side of the hill.

SEARSTON

Searston was once known as Grand River. It received its name because the community
was settled on the Bankss of the larger of the two rivers flowing in the Valley._
In the days of Monsignor Andrew Sears, the name of the community was changed.
Early settlers of Grand River were the MacLean family, Hugh and his two sons
Captain Dan and John. They landed at a place known as " The Block " about 150
years ago.

"........W.E. Cormack, who traveled about the island in 1822, and who indicated
that there were..........five families (28 persons) at what is now Searston."
In these days, the main source of a living was fishing. A little bit of planting
was done. However, one had to clear and burn the land so this was done gradually.
The brooks and rivers served as guides for travel. If a person was traveling
in the woods, he would blaze a trail, so that he could find his way home again.
When the community was first settled, people built along the shore of the river.
Log-huts served as houses, with the doors facing the water. People fished cod
and salmon, which would be salted and sent to Halifax by schooners. This was
traded for winter supplies. The first store was operated by Bill Rowe and owned
by Mr. Colin Campbell from St. John's. The next store was operated by Sandy
Gillis for George MacQuart, a St. John's merchant. Other early stores were owned
by Jim Keating from Port aux Basques and Duncan McIsaac. Willy McLean and Clem
Gale operated stores at the same time, sometime in the 1920's. At these stores
people could buy and trade fish. Some of these stores were stocked from St.
John's while other store owners went to Halifax to pick up their supplies. A
very popular annual event held at Grand River was the horse races. These races
were held as soon as the river frozen over enough to support the weight of the
horses. The race consisted of a half mile course, and often bets were laid.
These races were a big attraction and many people turned out each year to view
the event. While no prizes were awarded, it was taken quite seriously. Before
the actual event, much time was spent training and grooming the horses. It was
quite an honor to have the fastest "steed" in the Valley.

"....The horse races came off last week on the ice of Grand River, near McKinnons.
The horse race was won by Peter Gales horse from Searston." These races took
place between the years 1910-1940. As the older generation died, so did the
interest in the races. The first school was a log building located by "The Block"
at least 95 years ago. Some early teachers were Miss Maggie (Margaret) Kenny
from the United States, Elenor Boland from Curling, a Mr. James from the southeast
coast, Mr. Walker, Farquahar McLennon, and Mr. Hugh McDougall, from either Cheticamp
or PEI. The school would have a teacher for perhaps only five or six months
of the year. Once he or she left, it would be difficult to find a replacement.
Most would arrive in summer and teach until Christmas. When they went home for
Christmas holidays many would not return. The log cabin was torn down and classes
moved to a frame school built next to it. On the same site a third school_ was
built between the years 1905-1910. This school burnt sometime around 1944 and
was replaced by a school which was built across the road from the church._ In
1968/69, the school system was centralized to Upper Ferry and the children were
bussed from all over the Valley. The school in Searston was sold and the materials
were used by the buyer. The first church in Searston was built by Doctor O'Regan_
sometime in the 1890's, before 1898. It had a 95 foot spire which was struck
by lightning on September 8, 1930. A priest house was built at the same time
as the first church, about 100 feet to the right as you face the church. It
was a large two storey building with an attic. Construction on the second church_
began in May of 1931. This church was in use until 1976 when a new church was
erected in Upper Ferry. Before either of these churches were built, a log church
on the north side of the Grand River was used by the people of Searston. About
66 years ago, Dr. McDonald_ visited the area to vaccinate for smallpox. Some
early midwives were: Mrs. Gillis,_ Mrs Joseph MacDonald, Mrs. Esther Blanchard,
and Mrs. Minnie (William) Keating. When Rev. Thomas Sears arrived in 1868 there
were no roads on the west coast, but by the time he died in 1885 there were
path roads connecting most parts of the Valley. It was during the time of Andrew
Sears that the roads were improved._ The roads throughout the Valley were finally
paved in 1970. The first vehicle in the Valley was owned by Tom Blanchard._
In Searston the first telephone was owned by Duncan McIsaac. Others were: Tom
Blanchard, William MacLean, Monsignor Sears, and Alex O'Quinn. These phones
were all of the crank type. They were all party lines. The early post offices
were kept in people's houses. The first man to keep the mail was John Doyle
who also ran the telegraph. It was then moved to Tom O'Quinn's store. After
the new school was built by Rev. Thomas Sears, a part of the old school was
used as a post office. Today the post office is rented in people's houses or
delivered to mail boxes. Years ago the mail was run by schooners or steamers
in the summer and dog teams in the winter. The mail was collected along the
coast about once a month and brought to Port aux Basques for delivery. When
the mail was brought to the River it was distributed by a mailman. One of the
first mailmen was John Downey. Mr. Downey would only deliver in the summer.
During the winter when the mail was hauled on a sled, the team of dogs would
follow the telegraph lines for guidance. A team of 8 dogs would make the round
trip from St. George's and often it was necessary to camp overnight along the
trail. When a doctor was needed he would be called from Port aux Basques. One
of the first doctors was a Dr. French, but his first name was not known. In
later years, Dr. Whalen was stationed in the Valley. Around Christmas of 1962
electricity came to the area of Searston. This was followed by television in
the winter of 1964.

SOUTH BRANCH

South Branch had its beginning around 1895-8, when the railroad came through
the area. Dick Wells, Section Foreman, was the first settler. He married a lady
from Millville, Miss Cassie Cashin. Some of the early settlers were; Sylvester
White, Peter Muise, Joseph (Silver) O'Quinn, Dan Dan McIsaac, Medrick Aucoin.
The first mass in South Branch was celebrated in the home of Sylvester White,
opposite Mr. McIsaac's house. The South Branch church was named after St. Sylvester,
and the South Branch School was named after St. Kevin. The bell on the ground
near the church came from the Church of St. Michael (the Archangel), in Port
aux Basques. When this church was being torn down, the bell was taken to South
Branch. However, when it was being placed in the church, it fell and cracked.

ST. ANDREW'S

St. Andrew's was once known as Little River. One may assume that the settlement
was renamed after Monsignor Andrew Sears, who was stationed in the Valley from
the first decade of the 1900's to his death in 1944. The first store in St.
Andrew's was located in front of the present residence of Mr. Frank Wall. The
area where it was located is still clearly marked by a rise in the ground. The
post office, chapel and school were all located in one building which was about
half a mile down the tracks. The railroad station and graveyard site in St.
Andrew's is said to be the area where the first chapel or meeting house was
built._ This was next to the site of the post office and a school/chapel building
which were erected later. In 1912, the first school in St. Andrew's was built.
Margaret Collins was the first teacher, Elizabeth O'Quinn the second, Sister
Teresina Bruce the third. Mary Gale then taught there for 11 years and her sister,
Mrs. Frank Wall then taught there from 1935-1946. Marg Elwood, Regina McDonald
and a Mrs. Hogan, whose husband was a surveyor, also taught there. This school
burnt on February 4, 1956. The replacement, a four room school, was opened on
July 16, 1956. In 1967 this school was closed and the pupils were bussed to
Upper Ferry. The church in St. Andrew's was constructed by Monsignor Andrew
Sears, in 1913. The church is called The Church of the Precious Blood. The little
tower to the right of the church, when facing the church, is the bell tower.
The bell is still in it, but is no longer rung, " as the priests now come on
time. "_ Originally, there were two towers and these towers were shaped like
chalices. Fox farms came to the area about 45 years ago and they lasted about
12 years. In St. Andrew's, Jim Tompkins, John Wall (now 84 years old) and John
Luedee kept farms. Pelts, especially the silver fox, then received good prices:
as high as $500.00 a pelt. The early houses in the area were built close to
the river. People always had to depend on the river for transportation, as the
first roads were merely wagon roads. When the first cars came in 1921, the roads
became wider.

"TOWNSHIPS " IN BAY ST. GEORGE

There was a somewhat unusual project undertaken in 1883 on the west coast.
The colonial government decided to establish townships in St. George's Bay south.
Surveyors and laborers under the eminent geologist James Howley went into the
area and began their boundary line work. Howley's preliminary report on the
land and the people living on the land makes interesting reading. To block off
the land into townships, a base line was secured which involved a line running
parallel to the coast and running inland for the required distance. Howley's
total area was from Sandy Point at the Head of Bay St. George to the base of
the Anguille Mountains.

TEN SITES

Ten townships were bounded in all, six completed and four broken by the Anguille
and Long Mountain ranges. These ten proposed townsites comprised an area of
340 square miles of which, Howley estimated, 220 were capable of a high state
of cultivation. The geological formation of the region was chiefly carboniferous,
which meant, said the surveyor, that the soil was part of the best of Newfoundland
and on a par with many areas of Canada. Howley's report added: "The district
is also richly watered. Streams such as Crabbs, Barachois, Robinsons, and Flat
Bay Brook - rivers that should be designated - flow from the Long Mountains
to Bay St. George. Though shallow, they are quite smooth flowing, except at
the head. They are full of fish and run through excellent land, which is covered
with large timber, principally birch, spruce, fir and poplar." Howley explained
that Crabbs Brook region was especially good land and was the northern boundary
of a settlement of Cape Breton Scottish people who had immigrated to the coast
between Crabbs and the Anguille Mountains. Reported Howley: "These Scots are
very thrifty and have carved out comfortable homes from the forest primeval.
All their women have looms and weave from wool of their own growing all the
clothing they need or use. North of them and extending to the Barachois there
is a large congregation of Englishmen who chiefly came from the south coast
of this island, some as long as 60 years ago. Upon the whole their land is superior
to that of their Scottish neighbors, but they are not so thriftily or comfortably
circumstanced." The Englishmen, apparently, occupied their land in common and
a large amount of it wasn't cultivated. Howley induced them to agree upon a
division and mark the boundaries of each lot. He told them that if they wished
to continue to hold their land, they must cultivate each lot. It was supposed
to be the beginning of the "townships" on the south-west coast.

MIXED NATIONALITY

In his report Howley said that north of Robinson's the nationality of the
settlers was "rather mixed." He found some French and Scottish families, some
English and "one Dutch or German." In surveying the township lines, allocations
were made by the surveyors for future roads. Howley reported: " At the last
session of the legislature (1883), a grant of $200.00 was made to aid the Scottish
near Crabbs Brook to build a road to their back lands. With this small sum they
have constructed a good wagon road three miles long, a fact which attests to
the level and agricultural character of the land and to the energy of the Scots."
In the overall development of the area, Howley noted, the lack of good harbors
was a drawback. Vessels of 50 tons, he said, could harbor in the mouth of Crabbs
Brook, but larger craft could find no place to enter south of the extreme head
of the bay where there was good anchorage. He said a railway would find an outlet
at Codroy, but only small schooners could avail of it. Channel would be the
nearest port at which vessels of large size could load and unload.

COAL FOR 150 YEARS

Townships, roads and the railway were desperately needed for the area, said
Howley. The region had vast deposits of coal and other minerals. He estimated
that if 250, 000 tons of coal were taken from the St. George's coal beds every
year the deposits would last for 150 years. Yet all mineral wealth lay dormant
because there was no railway. He proposed a railway line from the head of St.
George's Bay to Channel, a distance of 100 miles, and this would permit mining
and export of coal. Another part of his proposal for railway service said: "
A railway could be extended from St. George's Bay, pass the head of the Bay
of Islands, up to the Valley of the Humber and connect with the head of White
Bay or Hall's Bay with the line now building north from St. John's." Geologist
James Howley, born in St. John's in 1847, championed west coast development
as few other men had done.

WOES OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL

The traveling clergyman ministering to his flock in western Newfoundland a
century ago was indeed a rare breed of man. His life was filled with dangers
and hardships while getting to and from the widely scattered settlements, and
yet he endured. Such a man was Monsignor Thomas Sears. He traveled the coast
for 15 years until his death in 1885 at the age of 61. A good idea of traveling
conditions in his time can be gleaned from a report he wrote in 1877 in which
he described a rather harrowing experience in traveling the Cape Anguille Mountains.

NO ROADS

In the time of his writing there were about 3,000 persons dispersed in detached
settlements over 800 or 900 miles of sea coast. There were no roads to allow
safe passage from one hamlet to another and the traveler had to go through the
trackless forest or walk the sea-beaten landwash. There was the alternative
of, what the Monsignor called, "going in an open boat or a cranky fishing skiff
along the whole coast." But this was equally an unpleasant and sometimes hazardous
means of getting around the far-flung mission. It had been suggested to Msgr.
Sears that a sturdy schooner or yacht be obtained as a mission vessel. He maintained
that, even if financial circumstances permitted such a luxury, the method would
be impracticable. He reasoned that the striking peculiarities of the coast would
render the acquisition of a mission boat unfeasible...."there being several
hundred miles of our coast without a harbor, and our seas at the conflux of
the Atlantic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence are so boisterous that the greater
portion of the coast where the people inhabit, is unapproachable by a vessel."
While summer travel had its share of difficulties, the winter season, when navigation
was closed, presented greater obstacles for the traveling missionary. Msgr.
Sears told of an experience he had while traveling in the St. George's Bay area
for a few years after he first arrived on the coast. At 6 o'clock one March
morning he left Highlands in company with "several able young men" as guides.
They were bound for Codroy traveling on snowshoes, the priest said:

SNOW SIX FEET DEEP

".....Our way was first through dense forests ascending the Cape Anguille
range of mountains. This took us till near 9 o'clock, the ascent being over
seven miles. The snow was from five to six feet deep, but the young men beat
the path so well that I had no difficulty in getting along with a lighter set
of snowshoes. This I would need as I was never accustomed to walk on them before
that winter. On arriving at the summit we found that the snow, which had been
retained on the mountain-top by the shrubbery, was rendered as hard and slippery
as solid ice by the heavy winds of such an altitude, about 1,500 feet. The culmen
of the mountain was an undulating plain yielding only a low shrubbery, now over-topped
with snow. The passage this way was very dangerous in the event of a storm.
There was no shrub or landmark to point out the way, and no place to take shelter."

ANTICIPATED DANGER

As the priest and his party advanced some loose clouds obscured the sun and
snow began to drift. One of the guides, who, the monsignor said, seemed inclined
to anticipate danger when there was none imminent, took alarm and began to run.
This movement of fright spread to the other guides and they began to run. "I
was at a disadvantage," Msgr. Sears later recalled, "for I could not keep up
with these athletic men, and what was worse, the Eskimo boots worn to suit the
snowshoes, were as slippery as the ice itself, and there was no chance even
to take time to provide a remedy." In a stampede, the priest and his companions
ran about nine miles and reached the opposite slope where any danger, if it
existed at all, was felt to be over. Another hour's walk brought them into a
dense forest. Here they halted, built a fire and had something to eat. They
resumed their journey and in two hours were at the Great Codroy River. Monsignor
Sears wrote: "I could see why it was called the Great River. It was here wide
enough for 12 teams of horses to go abreast and that width extended to the mouth,
and so level was it and clear of rapids that it was all frozen over and formed
a fine winter road the whole distance."

24 MILES TO GO

The party still had about 24 miles to travel before getting to the first house.
Said Msgr. Sears: "We had to get there before taking any rest, or else take
the alternative of remaining under a tent such as could be formed with a few
boughs of evergreen on the deep snow all night." The priest said that he disliked
doing this as he "feared the consequence of taking a cold." He had perspired
freely in the stampede over the mountains. At sundown they lit a fire, had another
mug-up and resumed their journey along the broad frozen river. Shortly after
midnight, men from the nearby settlement who had been expecting the priest came
along with a horse and took the little band to the village. The ordeal was over,
another priestly mission was accomplished.

CODROY VALLEY WOOLEN MILLS

The idea of a woolen mill in Codroy Valley has been around for several years,
and it finally became a reality in July of 1976 when construction started. The
mill was officially opened on June 3, 1977. Eight people are presently employed
at the mill. The hours of operation are 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.
Wool is purchased from all over the island. A deal is purchased from the Avalon
Peninsula and much is local wool. The going price for wool is 70¢ per pound
unwashed and 95¢ per pound washed. It is cheaper for the mill to buy unwashed
as it is likely that it will have to be rewashed anyway. It takes 3/8 of a pound
of wool to make one skein. The woolen mills are capable of processing 300 pounds
of wool daily so they are producing a sizable amount of wool per week. The machinery
used was not purchased new. It was purchased second hand from various places,
the oldest piece is the carder, which was built in 1929. The newest piece was
manufactured in 1963. A Young Canada Works Project added an extension onto the
Mill this summer.

A relative of the present manager, Mr. Gale, operated a carding mill in the
Codroy Valley earlier in this century.

UPPER FERRY CO-OP

The Upper Ferry Co-Op was in operation in 1937, although the exact date that
it opened is uncertain. Our informant, Mr. Walter Gale, became a member of the
co-operative in 1939 when he was first married. He can remember, however, his
father and mother shopping at the co-op for some years before this. It was then
a " buying club ", run by the Credit Union. According to one source,_ the first
collective club activity was to purchase a seven pound caddy of tobacco.

"......Some good savings were made. After that they went into groceries, dry
goods, ect., and eventually, the store."_

It is interesting to record an article which appeared in a local newspaper.

"......A large shipment of feed was landed last week for the Model Buying
Club at Codroy Valley, which is the clubs first venture into this line. "

The organization actually began when the credit union began using any spare
money in the union to buy goods and resell them to members at cost price, or
wholesale. It started out on a very small scale, and involved only Upper Ferry
in its early years. Today there are approximately 150 members from all over
the Valley. There was a great deal of co-op organization carried out in the
Valley in the 1940's. At various times in the 40's, there were credit societies
at Codroy, Woodville, Millville, Upper Ferry, Tompkins, St. Andrews, and South
Branch. All that remain now are two - one at Tompkins and another at Millville.
Given todays means of transportation and good roads, one society would have
sufficed, but in the days of horse and buggy with mud up to the axles, each
place would have their own._

The Model Consumers Co-op Society Limited made application for registration
on or about January 9, 1941. The signatures on the application to register were
as follows:

When the co-op was incorporated in 1941, it sold items at a profit and returned
the dividends back to its members. However, this system has changed in the past
six or seven years, and the store has since become direct charge. Each member
contributes $75.00 capital and pays $3.00 service charges per week. This enables
the store to sell goods to the members at a very cheap rate which is usually
close to wholesale. The first manager of the Society was Mr. Walter McIsaac.
Mr. McIsaac owned the building that the organization operated out of. He managed
the co-op throughout the 1940's The next manager was a Mr. Mike McNeil._ Frank
McArthur was another manager of the store._Mr. bill Bailey managed the operation
for a period of six months. He also returned sometime later in 1971 to manage
the store during years of direct charge. Mr. C. Ledwell spent ten years with
the co-op. (1956-1966) He was instrumental in seeing that the co-op movement
of Upper Ferry did not die away into extinction. There was also a fieldman,
Joe McIsaac, who was actively engaged in the movement in the Valley and adjoining
areas for years. At the Highlands, a small group organized and called their
society the Joe McIsaac Memorial. This society has since fallen apart.

CODROY VALLEY POULTRY CLUB

There were Poultry clubs organized on the West Coast about 40 years ago. According
to newspaper reports, these were set up in the communities of Tompkins, Searston,
and Doyles in the Codroy Valley.

"......Under the direction of the poultry expert, S. Earle, a meeting was
held at Upper Ferry when arrangements were made for the organizing of a poultry
club. Although the club is not absolutely decided on at present, there seems
to be good prospect of its birth and hope of having incubation going on here
next year on a large scale."_ Apparently these plans were realized as only seven
months later a newspaper account reads;

"......Messrs. L Earle and William Meadows of St. John's are at present busily
engaged setting up the incubators at Tompkins, Searston and Doyles. If their
hatches are run off in each place it will require 5,480 hatching eggs. This
is the beginning of a new industry and here's wishing the best of luck to the
poultry clubs." Less than one month later the "new industry" was well underway.

"......The incubator of 450 egg capacity at Tompkins struck the first notes
for the poultry clubs when over 200 chicks pipped up for the first time." And
only slightly over one month later, the poultry clubs on the West Coast had
organized to the following extent:

"......The poultry clubs that are now operating on the West Coast will sell
their eggs and dressed poultry cooperatively. These products will be sold on
a graded basis only and packed in attractive packages."

O'REGAN'S LIMESTONE QUARRY

A quarry was located at O'Regans_ sometime in the 1920's and was in operation
until 1948. This quarry was funded by the Department of Natural Resources. The
main use for this limestone was to aid local farmers in enriching their soil.
It was sold to these farmers for $1.50 a ton. This limestone was pulverized
so that it was finer than fertilizer. The farmers would collect it themselves
at the pit. The quarry was producing about 30 tons of limestone per day and
as there was no storage space, the excess limestone would be shipped to St.
John's by railway. While at its peak, the quarry employed five to six men. One
man operated the crusher, while the rest loaded limestone by hand. The stone
was loaded by the conveyor belt into the shed and from there out to a chute
into the trucks. There was no drilling or dynamite used in the quarry. The quarry
ceased operation in the late 1940's due to high operation costs.

O'REGANS:
MONUMENT TO A PRIEST

The scenic little west coast community of O'Regans has for nearly three quarters
of a century been a living memorial to a zealous Roman Catholic priest who died
in the line of duty. O'Regans is named for Rev. Dr. Charles O'Regan, D.D., who
was shipwrecked while visiting his parishioners at Rose Blanche in October,
1901. The young missionary was not the first of his calling to lose his life
in this area while in the performance of his work. Rev. W. LeGallais of the
Church of England Mission at Channel was drowned in 1869 with two companions
while responding to a sick call at Isle aux Morts. Another Anglican missionary,
Rev. T. Boland, froze to death in a snowstorm in St. George's Bay in 1856.

DIED AT 29

Father O'Regan was only 29 years of age when he met a watery grave. Between
10 and 11 o'clock on Monday morning, October 26, 1901, the 30 ton schooner John
Cabot, owned by Penny Brothers of Ramea, left Rose Blanche bound for Sidney,
via Port aux Basques. On board was Father O'Regan as well as the Captain, George
LeDrew, his father and his brother-in-law. Father O'Regan had been visiting
some of his flock at Burgeo and Rose Blanche and was now enroute to his headquarters
at Codroy.

HEAVY SNOW

Captain LeDrew had intended to land the priest at Port aux Basques and then
continue on to Sydney. The morning the Cabot sailed was clear with a brisk breeze
from the northwest. But shortly after the Cabot left port a squall with heavy
snow was seen to make towards and completely envelope the vessel.

The storm was of short duration, but when the mist cleared away the schooner
was not in sight. It was at first thought she was speeding on her way to Port
aux Basques. From the time the Cabot was shut out of sight of those on shore
no tiding of her whereabouts was ever again received. The American-Anglo Telegraph
Co. wired all along the shore and over to Sydney in Nova Scotia, but the Cabot
was unreported in any place. The Reid Nfld. Co. dispatched their vessel, Glenco,
to search for the craft, but no trace of her was found. Fishermen and others
speculated that the Cabot, heavily ballasted at the time, struck a rock known
as " The Bad Neighbour " about three quarters of a mile off Burgeo. But there
was no evidence to support this.

PUMP AND BUCKET FOUND

However, the next day brought grim evidence that the Cabot and all aboard
her had indeed come to grief; a pump and draw bucket belonging to the schooner
was picked up off Rose Blanche. The loss of Father O'Regan, who was pastor of
Grand River in the Bay St. George Vicariate, swept like a great black cloud
along the entire west coast. It was a staggering loss to the parish. Tributes
in the churches and schools came pouring from the people. The Grand River area,
said one tribute, was in dire need of a man at the helm, such as Father O'Regan.
The place rose up....." rejuvenated materially and spiritually Phoenix-like
from the ashes of decay " because of the young priest's good work, said one
tribute.

BUILT CHURCH

Another tribute went: " A monument to his memory is the noble edifice at Grand
River. The beautiful church there was reared through his energy. How proud was
he on the day of the consecration of his church, which cost $13,000.00. The
progress of Codroy has received a great blow - the loss to his parishioners
is irreparable." Masses were said in churches along the coast as far north as
Bay of Islands and Bonne Bay. Father O'Regan was born in St. John's, where he
received his preliminary education. He decided for the priesthood at an early
age and went to France to study. Later he was transferred to Rome, where he
continued his studies and where he won academic honors. Upon his return to Newfoundland
he was selected to work in the scattered district of St. George's. He was six
years in this mission before losing his life at sea.

NAMED IN HIS HONOR

Before the settlement of O'Regans was so called, the place was known as "
Backlands, Bay St. George " When the Newfoundland Nomen-clature Committee was
formed in 1904. " Backland " was changed to O'Regan to commemorate the memory
of a beloved priest. At that time the settlement was listed in the census as
Valley O'Regan. It has a population in 1911 of 50 people. " Codroy Village "
was more populace with 569 inhabitants while Great Codroy and N. Side Grand
River had 118 people. There are other places on the west coast named to commemorate
clergymen who labored for their flocks, sometimes under extremely difficult
conditions. Curling is named for an early Anglican priest and Searston is named
for Rev. Andrew Sears, one of the most progressive of clergymen ever to work
in any part of Newfoundland. He strongly advocated roads and mail service and
other improvements for the coast. He was not slow in pointing out these wants
to the Newfoundland government and his prolific pen was instrumental in aquainting
the western shore to people all over the island and even beyond the seas.

DREADED SMALLPOX SHIP
AT CODROY

In the days before the coming of miracle advances in the prevention and control
of diseases which had ravaged humanity in " darker ages," the words " small-pox
" was enough to strike the fear of god into any mortal. The loathsome disease,
extremely contagious, left an individual, if he survived at all, horribly disfigured
with an ugly pocked face and other ghastly affects. Little wonder, then, when
the Harbour Grace steamer Mastiff arrived at Codroy one March day in 1889 the
inhabitants on shore were shocked --terrified-- at the report that there were
two cases of small-pox aboard the crew. The policeman at Codroy made immediate
arrangements to have the two sick men brought ashore, intending to place them
in isolation pending the arrival of a doctor.

PEOPLE VEHEMENT

But the people reacted vehemently. There was to be no one landed from the
Mastiff they ordered, and prevented the police officer from removing anyone
from the vessel. However, before the Codroy residents could unite to keep the
vessel and those aboard her totally isolated, it turned out that two of the
shoremen from Codroy had managed to board the Mastiff and to make matters worse,
two men from the vessel owned by Captain Paul Hall of Grand River also managed
to get aboard the Mastiff and had dinner with some of her crew.

KNEW DISEASE WAS ABOARD

A Codroy resident, in reporting the incident to the authorities in St. John's
wrote:

" Surely people should not have been allowed on board that vessel; they knowing
that such a disease was on board."

This resident's report went on to inform the authorities that " yesterday
" while the Mastiff was still off shore, no people from Codroy were allowed
to cross the Grand River Gut on the ferry. If they had a desire to do so, they
were prevented from going by angry, fearful residents. The report to the St.
John's authorities outlined the extreme seriousness of the situation. " If small-pox
should happen to break out on this shore," the report emphasized, " the consequence
will be terrible as there is no doctor nearer than Channel, a distance of 32
miles."

EIGHT DESERTED

The report went on to say that eight of the Mastiff's crew had deserted the
vessel at Channel. Apparently they must have made their way secretly to shore
because the residents of Channel found out there were two cases of the dreaded
small-pox aboard, they prevented all others from leaving the vessel and would
not allow any of the Channel residents to board the craft. The Mastiff then
left for Codroy hoping that the two men ill with the pox would be allowed to
land there. Meanwhile, those men who deserted the vessel at Channel set out
on foot for Rose Blanche. It was a long and hard tramp and anxiety was ever
present in the little band because no one knew which --if any -- of their mates
also had small-pox. They were fearful that if one had the disease, the others
would be also affected. However, a dispatch to St. John's from Rose Blanche
dated March 23, 1889, said:

" About two weeks ago (about the second week of March) eight men walked into
this harbor reporting themselves as part of the sealing steamer (Mastiff) from
Harbor Grace which they had left at Channel, fearing an outbreak of small-pox."

ISOLATED MEN

The dispatch said that the stipendiary magistrate at Rose Blanche at once
"organized a board of health and promptly took means of isolating the men from
the people and the dwellings. There does not appear to have been any sickness
about them as yet. The precautions taken here were very wise and the magistrate
is to be congratulated." I am not sure what happened to the Mastiff after she
was refused permission to land her sick men at Codroy. It is probable that she
returned to Harbor Grace, her home port, where the sick men were taken off and
isolated.

It appears that small-pox was prevalent in some areas of Newfoundland at that
time 88 years ago. At Lower Island Cove 12 cases were reported and two young
girls succumbed to the disease. Others died in that Conception Bay community
as the months passed and as a matter of precaution all the small-pox cases were
buried without the benefit of an officiating clergyman. That will give an example
of how much small-pox was held in dread. Rev. A.C. Warren, who was one of those
in Lower Island Cove attending the sick, himself caught small-pox and died.
Besides the Codroy incident on the west coast, there were other cases along
the western shore in 1889 in which vessels were quarantined off shore until
health authorities could determine definitely that there was no small-pox aboard.
As far as the pox ship Mastiff was concerned, she continued to go to the seal
fishery in later springs but was finally lost at the seal hunt of 1898.

SHIP OF THE DEAD

Just about the entire rugged coastline of Newfoundland has been the scene
of many unusual sea dramas throughout this country's long and eventful marine
history. The west coast of Newfoundland had its share of sea disasters. Take
for instance, the one I am about to relate. It's somewhat grisly. But sometimes
fact is more terrible than anything fictionally invented. The story is about
the wreck of the schooner Three Brothers, which occurred at Little Codroy River
102 years ago -- in 1873. Details of it reached St. John's from a narrative
sent to the newspapers by " M.F. Howley, Clergyman." This was the byline he
used. He said that "on Sunday forenoon September 14, some of the inhabitants
of Little Codroy River discovered the hull of a vessel laboring in the through
of the waves about three of four miles seaward from Nor-west Cove."

BOARDED WRECK

He went on to relate that some of the inhabitants set out in five boats towards
the wreck. The day was fine but the sea high. They boarded the wreck before
sunset and discovered it to be a schooner of over 50 tons. Her registration,
afterward found, showed her to be 60 tons. On her stern in white letters was
printed the name Three Brothers out of Petite Rivier, Nova Scotia. She was laden
with " green fish " and supplied with all the materials necessary for the prosecution
of the cod fishery. The Howley narrative continued: " The inhabitants towed
the vessel ashore and after three days and nights of continuous labor, never
letting her go all that time, pumped her dry."

DEAD FOR WEEKS

The workmen then made a horrifying discovery. They found in the fore-castle
the bodies of five men in an advanced state of decomposition. The lifeless men
were dressed in their oil clothes, and evidently prepared for heavy weather.
They had been dead for about three weeks. Clergyman Howley stated: " The unfortunate
seamen had doubtless met their fate in the terrible storm of August 5 [1873].
The bodies were placed in coffins and buried with all decency and respect in
the vicinity of the English cemetery at Little Codroy River. Several articles
of clothing, ect. were discovered which can be had by relatives of the deceased
from Mr. John McIsaac, Little Codroy River. Among the articles discovered was
a small sum of money consisting of $5.25 which was expended in burying the bodies.
In another trunk was found the sum of 22 shillings, a handkerchief and stockings
marked M.M.11, a boat, a fish jack marked J.V., a book of Protestant hymns on
the flyleaf of which was written James L. Risey, Petite Riviere. The book was
badly damaged by the water. An English Protestant Bible was found on which was
written in several places " Milford Fralick, A.D. 1852 maney beblong" (?) [Howley's
question mark]. Also on the back cover of the same book "David Abbott, born
in the year 1825." This book is not altogether destroyed. Some boots and clothes
of smaller sizes, evidently belonging to a boy, were also found, but no body
corresponding to them was discovered. The schooner was registered at Lunenburg,
N.S., and belongs to, I believe Perry and sons."

The clergyman ended his story with these words: " In the hope that these particulars
may tend to dispel the anxiety, and allay the grief of the relatives of these
unfortunate men, and assist them in recovering some of the objects as momentos
of the departed. I beg the insertion of these particulars in your journal and
remain Yours Truly M.F. Howley R.C. Clergyman." It would be interesting to know
if Mr. Howley's report in the St. John's Courier had any results. I would appreciate
hearing from any of my readers who could add to this unusual sea story.

FOOTNOTE: About the clergyman himself ; Rt. Rev. M.F. Howley was born in St.
John's September 25, 1843. He was ordained in Rome where he also received the
degree of D.D. in 1868. He returned to Newfoundland with Bishop Power in 1870;
appointed Prefect Apostolic of St. George's June, 1885, and Vicar Apostolic
of the same section in 1892. He succeeded Dr. Power as Bishop of St. John's
in 1904 and elevated to the Archiepiscopate in 1904; invested with the Pallium
June 23, 1905. He was the author of numerous pamphlets on Newfoundland and of
the ecclesiastical history of the country. He died October 15, 1914.

A PICNIC IN AUGUST (1901)

People descended on the beautiful spot from all over -- from Cape Ray to the
south and Bay of Islands to the north. Some came from as far away as Canada
and a goodly number of American tourists were also there. The occasion was a
summer picnic at Codroy Valley at a site known as Islandview which lies almost
at the head of Grand River. Rev. Dr. Charles O'Regan, the parish priest of the
area, was in charge of the arrangements for the picnic. The funds raised were
to go for the erection of a new public hall and school room at Codroy. Islandview
got its name, apparently, from the fact that a short distance further up the
Grand River at a widening, the stream was studded with islands of all shapes.
It was described as a " post card scene as only could be viewed in the Codroy
Valley."

EXCURSION

The site contained a large field and a new dwelling owned by a Mr. Doyle who
had invited Father O'Regan to hold his picnic there. Arrangements were made
with the Newfoundland Railway to have " excursion fares " for people from Port
aux Basques to Bay of Islands who wished to attend the event at Islandview.
One visitor from Bay of Islands who went to the picnic described the train ride
as being made " heavenly because of the breath-taking scenery along the way."
He described the railway cars as being "palatial." The day of the picnic opened
dull and fog-tipped hills gave warning that rain may not be many hours distant.
But the sun broke through the haze and fine weather blessed Father O'Regan's
picnic.

KEPT BUSY

There were over 200 persons present for the event, but Mr. Doyle's commodious
grounds were by no means overcrowded. The priest and his assistants were kept
busy from the start of the event. The ladies in charge were described as " looking
well in their cool summer gowns." Bunting was profusely draped from pole to
pole and the flags were displayed to the greatest advantage.

Hot dinners and tea were served in Mr. Doyle's new residence. Lemonade, cake,
candy and "and other good things" were dispensed from tents by the ladies. Dancing
stands were erected here and there around the grounds and many found amusement
in dancing to bagpipes. Some were fortunate at the wheels of fortune, while
others regretted their bad luck. Among the other activities indulged in by the
west coast residents at that August picnic 77 years ago were football, "pugilistic
exhibitions" and tug of war.

SHOOTING CONTEST

A shooting match attracted considerable attention. The object was an animated
moving deer set up at 200 yards distant from the marksmen. The honors were taken
by clergymen. First prize went to Rev. Dr. Kieran; second prize to Rev. Fr.
Kiely and third place went to Dugald Gillies. An open air concert was held at
4 p.m., at which performers were received with hearty applause. Mr. J. Fitzpatrick
of Codroy was described as being "intimitable." Others who went to the stage
to entertain were Miss S. McLellan, Miss S. Doyle, and Mr. E. Rennie. Tea was
served at 6 p.m. and after that all the articles not disposed of during the
day were auctioned off. Field games then occupied the attention of all until
8 p.m.

$400 RAISED

When the receipts of the day were tallied it was found to the gratification
of Father O'Regan and his committee that $400.00 was in the kitty. That went
with the $100.00 previously raised for the building of the two-storey public
hall and a school room. At that time there were six schools in Codroy under
the supervision of Father O'Regan and the government grants were not sufficient
to maintain them in a state of efficiency. Following the picnic the crowd left
beautiful Islandview, many getting aboard the train for their homes in the various
settlements along the coast.

For the interest of the senior citizens of western Newfoundland who may remember
some of the people who attended Father O'Regan's picnic, here, in part, is a
list of those who went to Islandview.
Rev. William Kieran of Philadelphia
Dr. Baggs and his wife from Canada
Rev. J. Kiely of Cape Breton
Dr. Grant, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Keating, Miss McCourt from Channel
Mrs. Stephenson from Port aux Basques
Mr. & Mrs. E. Rennie from Cape Ray
R. Furneaux from Rose Blanche
Dougland McIsaac from Kippens
Rev. J. Joy, Mr.&Mrs. M.F. Abbott from Port aux Basques
M. Hayes and Miss Barry from Stephenville
Rev. Fr. McNeily from St. Georges
Mesdame's Sullivan, Berteau, and Mr. M. Neily and Mrs. White from St. John's
Rev. M. O'Rourke from Stephenville

I thought a column about a picnic in a sylvan glade would be appropriate for
mid August. Can any of my readers tell me if Islandview still exists? Are picnics
still held there?

GRANDMOTHER'S STORY
AS TOLD TO URSULA TOMPKINS BY HER
MOTHER-IN-LAW, JUDITH TOMPKINS

During the fall of 1882 my husband and I decided that the place for us was
Newfoundland. The tales coming from there, of the beautiful fertile land of
the Codroy Valley just waiting for the plough, of the delightful mountains and
scenery, the climate, all tended to enkindle the pioneer spirit which we had
possibly inherited from our parents who landed in the wilds of Cape Breton about
eighty years previously from Ireland.

When we approached my mother and father (John's parents had been dead some
years) with this sad news, we felt badly. Just how badly, only those who part
with their loved ones can realize. Both were aged, my father almost blind. I
shall always see them with the remaining members of our families standing almost
helpless with grief as the boat took us away from the shore of the mouth of
Margaree River. As I feared then we did not meet again. My dear old mother and
father did not long survive that sad day. My brother James had been living in
Grand Codroy about one year, and no doubt his anxiety to have us come too helped
greatly in our decision.

We arrived the 6th of June, 1883 and with joyous acclaim did we watch the
sun coming up over the Long Range Mountains as we sailed on through the North
West Cove, up to the mouth of the Little Codroy, landing at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Augustine MacIsaac who welcomed the new family with a cordial, heartfelt,
hospitable welcome. My husband was waiting for us at our new home, about five
miles up the river. After partaking of a luncheon of delicious home baked bread,
homemade butter, tea with cream, cottage cheese and bakeapple jam, my four children
and I were well fortified and enjoyed so much that boat row.

Richard, the eldest was nine of age, Bridget seven, Mike five and James two
years, six months. We landed directly near our home which consisted of a log
cabin, which although rudley built, afforded us comfortable shelter and as it
was then June with the summer months ahead, we knew that before winter we should
have at least more space. We lived in that hut for four years where we were
always very cozy and entertained many visitors. At one time Dr. Howley, afterwards
Archbishop Howley of St. John's, was our guest for two days. "When you have
ample beds and bedding", my next door neighbour, who lived two miles away, used
to say to me "you can always take the passing stranger." I did not feel quite
happy about entertaining such a distinguished visitor, but he very kindly calmed
my fears saying " I wish you could see where I stayed last night. I thoroughly
enjoyed my meals, my nice clean sheets, even the crying of that little rascal."
Our new baby cried all night long and I felt terribly sad knowing well the poor
priest, after his long walk from the Highlands of St. George's, needed the sleep
which my baby was keeping off. Our priests of that day knew well the hardships
of life in our new country without railroad, highway or comfortable steamboats.
They had to walk from thirty to fifty miles in rough weather; in calm weather
there was the open boat plied with oars, or, if one was lucky to find conditions
suitable, there was a sailboat.

Monsignor Thomas Sears, our resident pastor at that time was failing in health.
He was most interested in our coming to this country for he was most anxious
to have more families come, and was very insistent that we settle on the north
side of Grand River on the farm ajoining his place. But my husband wanted to
settle where the railroad would come in due time. I remember well my husband
discussing with the monsignor and pointing out to him just where the railroad
would come. However, the poor priest did not live long enough to enjoy the coming
of the railroad for he passed to his eternal rest just a year or so before the
survey was made. Our first sorrow was Monsignor Sear's death. May he rest in
peace.

We loved the spot we had chosen. When I look back over the years and picture
in my mind's eye how tall the woods were all around us, tall spruces, firs and
birches right where we are now standing. I would not let the children out of
my sight fearing I'd never find them. There was a nice large garden which our
predecessors had cleared and with the fertilizer which had been lying idle in
our stables. We planted lettuce, peas, corn, beans, cabbage, turnip and potatoe.
Everything grew like wildfire and in less that six weeks I had greens for the
table, rasberries and other wild fruits. From the proceeds of that garden we
had our vegetables for one whole year and sold cabbage, turnips and potatoes
sufficiently to procure our flour, sugar and other necessities which one has
to have.

We had two cows, some sheep from which we had our butter, cheese and meat.
My husband made shoes for the children from the hides and I clothed them with
the wool from the sheep. We lived entirely from the proceeds of the farm for
several years. As time went by we had more and more lands cleared, more stock,
and then the roads began to appear. In the meantime our family had grown in
size and numbers. There were nine altogether.

You ask me how we succeeded in clearing the land. Well for many years we could
not get much cleared. My husband was always a rather delicate man. For years
he taught night school for adults. He had quite a few pupils who were most grateful
for this great advantage and as compensation they cleared several lots of land.
The people of that day were a kindly, good living people who appreciated any
little acts of kindness.

Many of the old folks who have long gone to their eternal reward would tell
you of the successful teaching of their old friend John Tompkins. No doubt about
it, he was the first adult teacher in the Codroy Valley. Had Monsignor Sears
lived to see that he would have seen one of his dreams come true. After a time
the people built a little school in which my husband taught. We had no schools
then.

We were part of the French Shore and there was no such thing as government
legislation. The men worked for us as compensation. Bridget, Richard, Mike and
James knew no teaching other than their father's. Sears and the younger girls
went to St. Bon's and the convents later. Our people as I said before were a
kindly, upright people. As well they were deeply religious. If you could but
see today the manner in which the priest was greeted by the parishioners when
he mad his bi-yearly visits. All who could would turn out to meet the priest
and his coming was heralded by the music of the bagpipes. Our house was a mission
house, that is the priest stayed with us and mass was celebrated in our living
room; everyone coming to receive the Sacrements. For two days during the priest's
stay with us not a thing was done other than attend to their 'duties' and follow
the priest. This house of ours has been blessed with the celebration of mass,
time and time again and the Sacrements Penance, Holy Eucharist, Baptism and
Matrimony administered.

Now during the early years and before the railroad the angler would come along
looking for trout and salmon. Gradually one brought another until there were
so many fishermen we began to add on more rooms, so that is how we have what
is now known as 'Afton Farm House'.

My husband lived to see the family all grown up. He died on May 14, 1904.
My oldest son was his successor and was proving to be a very good man, but his
health began to fail in the summer of 1906 and I saw another pass to his eternal
reward. James, your husband, was left by Richard to take care of us all and
I hope and pray that our divine lord will give him the grace to carry on the
good work started by his good father.

In conclusion I would like to say that too much praise can never be given
to Mrs. Tompkins. She must have been a wonderful woman to have lived and loved
such a time of privation. Her home in Nova Scotia had been one of comfort. She
had never known the feeling of want in her young carefree days, but how nobely
she followed her delicate husband who was a victim of asthma, and came to this
country where he knew he could be free of the discomfort of this trying disease.

Although she has never said to me, her children have told me 'Mother was the
man at the helm' and died in her sleep August 1st, 1937. My husband, her son
died on April 21st, 1948. The above is 'Grandmother's Story' to me.

John Szwed, Private Cultures and Public Imagery.
Sister Mary Teresina Bruce, Early Settlers in the Codroy Valley.
John Szwed, Private Cultures and Public Imagery.
Sister Mary Teresina Bruce, Early Settlers in Codroy Valley.
Very Rev. Michael Brosana, Pioneer History of St. George's Diocese.
Mr. Gus Patry
John Szwed, Private Cultures and Private Imagery.
Codroy Island, a few hundred acres of vacant land, lies only several hundred
yards out to sea. Some years ago, the Federal Government plased a causeway from
the mainland to the north end of the island. It's first attempt failed but the
second succeeded and still standing today. These people were of English decent.

This building was torn down about 10 years ago when the school system was
centralized to Upper Ferry. However, for a period of time students attended
school in Codroy. from Port aux Basques.

Later United.

Most residents of Woodville are Anglican.
"From our files, 40 years ago", The Western Star, November 14, 1977.
The carding mill in Stephenville was set up by Mr. Gale and operated by the
Gabriels.
Of these, Alex Gale had 4 carders and 1 picker.
His son, Wallace Gale, has operated a business for the last 43 years. For many
years, he also used the bartering system.
Mr. O'Quinn is now in his eighties.
Mr. Gale was pensioned off at $4.68 every 3 months for his services.
Sister Teresina Bruce.
Sister Teresina Bruce used mainly for work from around 1898
Mrs. Annie Bruce and Mr. Donald Tompkins.
Sister Teresina Bruce states that people did not have to smuggle in the early
days as Codroy Valley was part of the French Shore and Codroy was an open port.
Vegetables, fresh bread and other items were exchanged for liquor. The French
Shore question was settled in 1904 and it was at that time that smuggling really
began. There were stills in the marshes and in the hills. Black Currant wine
or cassey wine is still homemade today, 1978 This school was referred to by
the residents as "The Kitchen" Mrs. Walter Murphy and Sister Teresina Bruce.
Very Rev. Michael Brosnan, Pioneer History of St. George's Diocese, Newfoundland
pgs.13, 15 and 16. Our informant with whom we spoke in the summer of 1978, Mrs.
Lucy Cormier, was baptized by Father Brown eighty years ago. Personal interview
with Sister Teresina Bruce, Mercy Sisters, at St. Bride's Convent, Littledale,
St. John's, November 10, 1978 Personal observations of group doing this study.
Monsignor R.T. White. Newfoundland was under Commision of Government, 1934 until
confederation with Canada, 1949. 4Four of the midwives mentioed had the maiden
name of Cormier. The midwife would usually stay for a week or ten days. This
force was created by the Commission of Government and was loosely modelled after
the RCMP Mr. Sandy (Alexander) Ryan. Mr. Ryan was born January 29, 1894. The
other river was known as Little River. Reverend Michael Brosnan, "Rev. Brosnan
dedicated his book to Monsignor Andrew Sears, Parish priest of "Grand River".
Monsignor Sears died in 1943, so it is likely that the name change occured sometime
after his death." Pioneer History of St. George's Diocese (Published 1948) John
Szwed, Private Cultures and Public Imagery pg.28. "From our files.....35 years
ago," The Western Star April 24, 1978. Later became Mrs. John McIsaac. Later
became Father Walker. He was taking lessons from the seminary while teaching
school. Mr. McDougall is the godfather of Mrs. Catherine Aucoin. She was baptized
in May of 1883, by Father Esteinlein, a visiting missionary. Reverend Michael
Brosnan, "For the school year 1882-1883, school was taught in the Grand River
section for a full term by the following, as the payment of salary shows. I
have not been able to find the location of these schools: Codroy (1) John McDonald
(2) John McIsaac (3) Fred McLellan (4) Hugh McDougall," Pioneer History of the
St. George's Diocese pg.109. This school is remembered as a "big" school as
it had two rooms. This church was the second and last church built in Searston.
Both churches were built on the same property, however. Doctor of Divinity.
This is the Father Cornelius O'Regan who drowned between Port aux Basques and
Rose Blanche on October 25, 1901. In August of 1901, Father O'Regan arranged
a community picnic with the funds going toward the erection of a new public
hall and school room at Codroy. See the article " A picnic in August " contained
in this report. This church still stands today, but is no longer in use. Better
known as the "Quarry" doctor of Aguathuna. Mike Gillis's mother, who delivered
Mrs. Catherine Aucoin, 95 years ago. Rev. Andrew Sears built the road up by
using horse and cart, and wheelbarrows. He had a Model-T around the year 1924.
Other car owners were: Tom Doyle, Mike Tompkins, Jim Tompkins, Frank McIsaac,
and James Collier. According to Sister Teresina Bruce, the MacIsaac's from Nova
Scotia settled in the Codroy Valley and erected a little meeting house, or church,
for the visiting priest to say Mass in. This was near were the St. Andrew's
railway station was erected some years later. Another old graveyard which was
identified by a local resident as being on the north side of Grand River, appears
to be near the site of the church that Brosan refers to on page 15 of his "Pioneer
History" "As I have already said, Father Belanger visited the Rivers at regular
intervals. He had a little church erected on the north side of the Grand River
and beside it a little log cabin which he used as his home when on missionary
work in that section." This statement by Mrs. Frank Wall was said in all seriousness.
Apparently, priests in bygone days were noted for their tardiness. Don Morris,
"Vignettes of the West," The Western Star April 29, 1978. Don Morris, "Vignettes
of the West," The Western Star March 25, 1978. The late Duncan McIsaac of Upper
Ferry. Mr. C Ledwell, presently a Co-op Inspector with the Department of Comsumer
Affairs and Environment. "From our Files......40 years ago," The Western Star
January 18, 1978 Mr. C. Ledwell. He now resides in Corner Brook or Curling.
Mr. McNeil has since passed away. Mr. McArthur presently resides in Upper Ferry.
Mr. McIsaac was a Nova Scotian. "From our files.......40 years ago," The Western
Star May 27, 1977

"From our files......40 years ago," The Western Star January 10,1978.

"From our files.......40 years ago," The Western Star February 1, 1978.

"From our files......40 years ago," The Western Star March 25, 1978.

Located just past the bridge as you enter O'Regans. It is believed that the
crusher for this operation arrived sometime around the coming of the bridge.
This bridge was built in 1926.

Don Morris, "Vignettes of the West," The Western Star April 30, 1977.

Don Morris, "Vignettes of the West," The Western Star March 19, 1977

Don Morris, "Vignettes of the West," Western Star 24 May 1975.

Don Morris, "Vignettes of the West," The Western Star August 19, 1978.